Slightly less hazy on Saturday, and either that campfire smell has lessened or I’m getting used to it.
Enjoyed my loft workout, then took another walk. Kept to the gravel road awhile, going uphill past other cabins–one has a classic Lincoln parked outside. I spot another marked trail, so why not, and end up going down toward one of the pastures where earlier i’d watched the wranglers round up the horses.
I don’t see another soul, a car or bike. Nothing but pasture, hills, trees, and the quiet cabins. I do see a squirrel who stands on a stump and chirps at me. Our squirrels back home don’t chirp and chitter. They tend to be big and fat and fuel up on the bird food spilled out of the squirrel-proof feeder.
I do see more of the sky, and what are surely rain clouds overhead.
By the time I get back, Jason’s up and Kat and BW come back from breakfast. And I settle in to work awhile.
We’re going into the village for lunch, BW and I have massages, and we’re booked for this farm-table dinner, followed by a concert. Crystal Bowersox. I’ve bought a clue that the offerings at this dinner–where they bring in a guest chef who will take a group with her to the local farmer’s market in the morning–will be esoteric and fancy. So I want lunch as I have the palate of a twelve-year old.
Work goes well, and I leave Eve in a tough situation. Looking forward to getting back to her, watching her handle it.
BW and Kat report they drove around and spotted longhorns, and a go-kart track, so we circle around to drive that way. Yep, longhorns–pretty cool–and a go-kart track not currently in use. I see people driving ATVs with bandanas over their faces. The road dust is amazing.
We have lunch outside at the more casual place. I opt for what’s billed as the last best grilled cheese–add bacon. Fries and huckleberry lemonade. Very nice.
BW and I drive back, Jason walks and Kat walks her bike along with him as BW and I have our date at spa town.
I really can’t say enough about the massage—warm table, the breeze through the open tent, Natalia with her amazing hands, fragrant oil. Most of the tension I habitually carry in my neck and shoulders is stroked, pressed and pummeled away, and for an hour I’m in the Bliss Zone.
Honestly, I could have just dropped into bed after, but we have those dinner plans. We pause for a trail ride crossing our path, and the little girl looks so delighted on her horse. I bet she’s dreaming she’s a cowgirl. I desperately wanted to be a cowgirl at her age.
I have to wash the oil out of my hair, there’s so much gunk in there I almost feel like using my pressure washer from ToolsMaestro but I’m not a car so that would probably hurt. I put on more clothes, pull it together, all while thinking: Really a nap would be so good.
The dinner starts in the bar, as all dinners should. Lots of people, lots of chatter. BW gets a huckleberry Manhattan. You really can’t have too many huckleberries. Then we’re directed into the dining room where we all sit at three long tables. I see the menu and am grateful for that last best grilled cheese. Five courses, with dishes that include pickled kohlrabi and shaved beets, squid ink spaghetti and cheesy kale grits.
Now I know there are adventurous foodies out there who’d be thrilled with this. Kat and BW are good with it, though Kat has a shellfish allergy, and squid qualifies (you learn something new). Jason likes beets, but is pretty much happy he also got that last best grilled cheese at lunch.
The guest chef comes out to talk to us, with a container of sorrel she brought with her from CA. Oh yeah, serious foodies. She’s worked sorrel into one of the dishes, and challenges us to tell her which one after the meal.
I have to say, when I think Montana, I think beef, fish, chicken, barbecue, hearty vegetables. And huckleberries. I don’t think squid ink and sorrel. Where the hell did they find that squid? Why add its ink to harmless pasta? But okay, it’s an experience. And the bread was lovely. We’re also told our headliner has a throat issue, and can’t perform. The artist performing with her will go on, but she can’t even talk for twenty-four hours.
The restaurant has what I see as the universal issue of pumping up the AC to meat locker levels. It’s actually cool out, really pleasant outside. But inside? Several people, including me, end up asking for blankets. Why not just cut back the air?
The food’s beautifully presented, really pretty–until we get to the squid spaghetti. I don’t find that dish attractive. And poor Kat actually has a reaction to the strong scent of it. She and I go outside for a bit.
BW reports he found his pasta delicious. Jason passed on it.
We opt to skip the abbreviated concert, head outside.
And the moon, oh, the moon is a fiery red ball in a starless indigo sky. It’s stunning, just compelling, absolute magic. Just that full red ball in that enormous blank sky.
This calls for pictures, and back at the cabin, the moon strikes me as even more gorgeous when viewed through the tall pines. It’s a fantasy in the night stillness, hanging there with the occasional cloud sailing over it to change the aspect. I love the moon, in all its forms, and have seen the red moon before. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen more beautiful than the red moon over Montana. It’s the most striking end to a full, mixed bag of a day
This morning I hear thunder, and see shadowy mountains through the haze. I hope for rain, here and in Washington State, wherever the wildfires rage.
A slower day today–after my lofty workout.
Nora
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to share your vacation experiences with us. It is so generous. I love seeing everything through your eyes. Have to add, that was a tiny bit mean to drop that tidbit about Eve. Makes it difficult to focus on the rest. Look forward to anything else you want to share. Thank You.
I am so enjoying these updates. I have recently found out the a 3 times great uncle along with his wife and a few others founded Grand Forks I believe it is (Grand something anyway). I would love to go there someday but I am getting a bit old to be traveling there now. Just found a 4th cousin on ancestry.com and she has filled me in on our mutual relatives. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us and glad to know your are writing about Eve once again. 🙂
Nanette
That would be Great Falls. My brain was not in working order this morning so looked it up to be sure. N
So awesome. As you describe the moon, I feel a bit like I’m reading part of a follow up to Chasing Fire. I’m surprised that bison wasn’t part of the dinner menu. It’s pretty popular in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana right now, and foodies love it’s diversity.
I am glad you are enjoying our beautiful state, but have to say the whole “foodie meal ” thing is hysterical. I can tell you that we have amazing restaurants in our state that will cook amazing beef, pork and chicken meals that are simple, delicious and do not include imported sorrel! Hope you can come back when it is less smoky.
Thank you for allowing us to tag along on your travels once again. I am greatful to hear about the squid ink pasta and not be confronted with the smell. Poor Kat! I have never been to Montana so the words and pictures mean a lot. Glad you took Eve with you and you can help her out of that tight spot.
It’s so generous of you to share your travels with us! And while I am a sort of foodie, that meal sounded uppity and false, for the locale. As usual you summed it up brilliantly, “and the bread was lovely.” A true economy of words there! What a hoot!
I am glad you are enjoying our great state. The foodie experience sounds crazy. You need to have a good fat buffalo burger or an elk steak cooked medium rare. Montana has so many good foods out there, even pasties!
Oh my gosh! I just saw where you are, and I’m somewhat sure you’re at the same resort we were at for a wedding last October! It is fabulous! And to chime in on another comment-definitely check out Garnet (ghost town). Just the scenery on the drive up makes it worth it! Enjoy your trip!!
It is so lovely to hear and see the rain in Oregon. I hope it reaches to Montana. I love the red moon photo and could see it on a book cover, Red Moon over Montana by Nora Roberts. Our fires out West made me want to read Catching Fire again. Have you ever read Kate Wilhem?
I absolutely love reading your updates. The way you describe everything is just wonderful. I look forward to the rest of your adventures in Montana. 🙂
Good morning Nora, love hearing all about your vacay in Montana. Keep it coming, Noticed a bit of Eve coming out when you mentioned “why do they have to put ink in pasta”. Enjoy yourselves!
So envious of your massage time! I truly think all massages should be followed by a complimentary wheel barrow trip out to your car since a massage properly done renders true relaxation and lack of energy and muscle tone! After returning from Savannah and Charleston and visiting their best restaurants, I can honestly say that beets in any form are a current foodie trend. One I can do without!
Your travelogues allow your readers to enjoy your trip with you without having to incur the expense and inconvenience of of air travel, not to mention the headache of going through security lines at the airport.
I’m with you on the squid ink. Why work it into harmless pasta? Sounds like a great day otherwise.
Thank you so much for sharing your day’s activities with us. Always the story-teller, you make me feel as if I am there. I have to admit that I can relate to the whole dinner experience as I also have the palate of a twelve year old.
I very much enjoy reading these. Thank you for sharing! And I’m with you on the fancy meal – if I’m in Montana I’m thinking beef, lamb, venison or elk. I go to the ocean for seafood!
Red Moon over Montana, sounds like a Nora Roberts book doesn’t it? 😉 Like others, I’m enjoying the travelogue. Many moons ago one of the Weekly Reader Book Club selections was a book called *Rising Arrow* about two young boys in Montana. I had forgotten about it (suffice it to say I’m waaaay past the Weekly Reader Book Club age group) until I started reading about your Montana adventures. Good memories. Enjoy!
Can we imagine Eve’s reaction to squid ink pasta?
I can imagine the face she’s make….and even the gag that comes out when she tries a bite.
I almost expect a shadow of a howling coyote in front of that red moon.
I really enjoy the commentaries on the places you travel. I visit/live vicariously thru you. Thank you so much for taking the time to share!
If you get a chance, do try a huckleberry margarita. They are wonderful. Really, anything huckleberry is good. But squid ink pasta? Um, no thank you.
Does Nora NOT eat breakfast? Every morning she writes of BW and one of the others (or both) going down for breakfast, but rather than eat, she’s gone for a walk one day, and exercised the other day. So why no breakfast? You need fuel for those workouts (and that way if you have an icky dinner like on this night, you won’t be QUITE as starved. And I agree, foodies can have all those strange ingredients – squid ink pasta? And just the, I guess fumes of it were enough to set her friend’s allergy off? Maybe they should have checked on guests’ allergies before booking a “celebrity” chef anyway. What happens if they serve something that the guest doesn’t know has anything to do with peanuts, and the guest eats it? They could be looking a severe allergic reaction requiring hospitalization.
I’m not a breakfast eater, just can’t relate to food in the morning.
The resort actually does check on food allergies. We filled out a form on check-in addressing just that.
Oh, and your comment on Day 1 about the firefighters – it reminds me of, I think it was Chasing Fire, except, well, you aren’t a fire fighter, much less being hunted by psychopathic kiler.
I just love these posts. I’m living vicariously through them- as no vacations for us this ear. But working as hard as you do- u absolutely need them to unwind.
As for Eve, no way would she even taste the squid ink pasta. Just like our Nora, you have to stand your ground sometimes. I also loved the line about Eve- “watching her handle it”- that’s a hoot. You’ll have her blast her way out of it in no time. But could it be a fight with Roarke? For two such strong-willed people, they are probably due for another knock-down fight- but then again- the make-up sex scenes are great. What would we do without you? I shudder to think of it.
Thank you so very much for sharing your vacation with all of us…I’ve never been to Montana but hear it is breathtaking….now seeing it through your eyes, I might have to plan a trip there :-)….I agree with you about the dinner on your third night…give me beef….!!!!!
Enjoy your stay there and please, no more teasers about Eve, my heart can’t take anymore….lol
I’m a bit of a foodie…love the creativity of chefs. Of course I’m allergic to meat and dairy (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, milk, cheese, ice cream…etc) so I always have to be careful what I’m consuming. I feel for Kat, not a fun experience. Sounds like you’re having a marvelous time!!
Have so enjoyed these postings. My Grandmother was from Avon MT. Pretty sure I know where Nora Roberts is staying. Worked three summers at Frontier Town outside of Helena MT.
I have lived in Montana nearly all of my 61 years & have yet to eat squid or sorrel. You must try Buffalo if they offer it, such a treat! I second, or is it third, the vote to travel to Garnet (ghost town) but then I love ghost towns! The scenery will be lovely. I also advise coming back in June or July when we are still green & likely not on fire. Western Montana is as pretty as it gets!
I can tell I’ve been sick for awhile. I was reading the post and couldn’t figure out who Eve was and why Nora would leave her in difficulty. I think part of the problem was this is the first time there was an association between Nora and the In Death series instead of it being JD Robb.
So, does Eve’s tough situation have anything to do with cows?